A
sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the
fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the other that, in one case (the
Football War), was suggested to have led to military conflicts. Owners typically encourage rivalries as they tend to improve game attendance and
television ratings for rivalry matches, but a rivalry that gets out of control can lead to
fighting,
hooliganism,
rioting and some, with career-ending or even fatal consequences. Often the topic of sports rivalries is as heated and controversial as
politics and
religion.